Giles Thompson; CEO of Betfair and Brian Speers; Chairman of Tas Racing were joined by the Minister for Tourism, Scott Bacon, to launch the $3 million 2014 Betfair Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival in Hobart.

Betfair is proud to be associated with Tas Racing having had a strong association with the State for nearly 10 years and Giles Thompson extended the company’s gratitude to be given the opportunity to present such a wonderful carnival which is an iconic mix of racing, fashion and entertainment.

“As a proud supporter of racing from the grassroots to the national level, Betfair contributes wherever it can to keep the spotlight on racing to continue to grow our racing industry” said Mr Thompson.

The carnival will start in Hobart on 19 January with the $100,000 Betfair Hobart Guineas concluding on 26 February with the $225,000 Betfair Launceston Cup day.

The Betfair Hobart Cup is on 9 February and the 2014 carnival will also have three feature Wednesday night meetings in Launceston – the Tattsbet.com.au Stakes on 22 January, Magic Millions night on 12 February and the newly upgraded group three Vamos Stakes on 19 February.

These Wednesday meetings will be broadcast on Sky Racing 1 both interstate and overseas – providing Tasmanian racing and the carnival itself with additional important exposure.

“Tasracing, the Tasmanian Racing Club and the Tasmanian Turf Club have done an outstanding job developing the carnival over many years and now Betfair – an international company that has offices here in Tasmania – has aligned itself with the thoroughbred code’s major carnival,” said Mr Bacon.

Last week the Tasmanian State Government released an economic impact study that showed racing patrons and customers spent more than $10.5 million on racing showing a clear and strong message of support for the Tasmanian thoroughbred racing industry.

Thirty five per cent of the spending was off-course and associated with retail, fashion and accommodation.
While there is an obvious focus on the racing during the carnival, there is just as much interest in the fashion and the social aspect of the major race days.

Tasmanian TattsBet will offer a $100,000 bonus for the owner and trainer of any horse that can win both the Betfair Hobart and Launceston Cups in the one year.

Mr Bacon added “These types of unique initiatives are important as they add an exciting new level of interest to the carnival’s major races – and attract interest from high-profile interstate trainers. While there was significant interstate interest in the carnival last year, still 62 per cent of carnival prize money was won by Tasmanian horses.

This was a strong result for the thoroughbred industry and it also sent a clear message that Tasmanian-owned horses can compete against good horses from interstate,”

Turnover on the 2013 Hobart and Launceston Cup meetings from all wagering operators totalled $6.5 million and $7.4 million respectively. This represented growth of 30 per cent and 60 per cent compared to last year.

2014 will be the first carnival run under the new naming rights partnership with Betfair